This year’s Read-a-thon was extremely special to me
personally. Akshara , my seven year old, thus far a very reluctant reader,
truly has turned an avid book lover after the contest. She participated for the
first time last year and ended up reading 3 books in two weeks – which she
thought was a great shame, given children her age had read 40+ picture books!
She was all set to make amends this year. Though she can read short chapter
books, the likes of Nate the great and Junie B. Jones, she stuck to picture
books for the contest. And, she read the whole day, sacrificing even her
favourite Oggy and the cockroaches and Doremon! She started with Franklins,
Cliffords, Winnie the Pooh’s but moved on to abridged classics (pictorial) from
Tom Sawer to Black Beauty to Vikram Aur Betal - to clock in 37 books at the end
of it all. Now she chooses her own books from EasyLib online and waits for the
package to be delivered home. Couldn’t have asked for a better reward than this
as a parent!
The books for each age group is kept simple on purpose. 5 to
7 year olds are allowed to read picture books, though many children by the age
of 7 can read short chapter books. Read-a-thon is to reward avid readers as
well as to encourage reluctant readers. Given the parental feedback, it seems
to be working great. And, we insist on a short review of each book children
read. Many parents find it very refreshing to listen to what their children
think about characters and scenarios played out in books.
Another warm fuzzy for me was meeting Susanna Jacob, a teen
who has been with EasyLib from the past 3 years. In her own words “I was good
at reading so I wanted to win this contest. My dad thought I was going crazy
but I read a novel a day!” And she was a clear winner! While I was chatting
with her went on to say “I reserve my books and feel so happy the next day
since I am sure to get my books before 3 o’ Clock’ Well, it is readers like her
who make this job a pleasure for us at EasyLib!
We will publish the reviews and the winners soon at the library
website (www.EasyLib.com). Till then, keep
reading. Read to your children and expose them to a large selection of books,
they will certainly turn readers!
Thank you for reading!
Click here www.EasyLib.com if you would like to take up a membership with
EasyLib.
